Chapter 1

Blocks Away, By a Decade

We grew up blocks apart.

After a flood destroyed Travis’s home in Carol Stream, his family relocated to Glendale Heights — the same town Lindsay would later call home.

We walked the same hallways at Glenside Middle School. Sat in the same classrooms at Glenbard West. Drove the same streets.

But we never met.

A decade stood quietly between us — close enough to overlap, far enough to miss.

The universe had placed us near each other early… just not yet.

Glenbard West High School
Glenside Middle School Safety Town Sports Hub
Chapter 2

Lives, Most Lived

Life unfolded.

Lindsay graduated, went to college, and began building something extraordinary — rising as a leader in the psychiatric field, guiding teams, caring deeply, changing lives.

Travis enlisted, served his country, and later built a 20+ year career in finance — learning discipline, resilience, and how to navigate risk.

Different paths. Different cities. Different callings.

Both growing. Both becoming.

Travis in South Korea
ISU Logo Lindsay at ISU USA Flag
Chapter 3

Paths Never Crossed — Until They Did

After military service, Travis returned briefly to Glendale Heights before a new opportunity pulled him west to Los Angeles and then eventually Nashville.

Lindsay stayed rooted in the place that shaped her.

Then one night — back in town, back where it all began — a mutual friend made an introduction.

There was a look. A moment. A spark that registered quietly… but didn’t ignite.

Timing wasn’t ready yet. So life continued.

Zooney and Crew
Sunset Blvd Crazy Pour Nashville Broadway
Chapter 4

A Chance Meeting… and Then a Swipe

Years later, technology did what fate had not.

A familiar face appeared on a screen. A swipe. A match.

And suddenly the distance between decades, cities, and almosts collapsed into a single conversation.

The texts flowed easily. The laughter came quickly.

And one message to Mom sealed it:

"The girl I’m dating from Chicago… her name is Lindsay."
"She’s very pretty."

Simple words. But something about this felt different.

What had once been almost… was finally becoming real.

Prontos Pizza
Bumble App Martini Drink Mom Photo

"Two souls, one journey — united in memory of our fathers."